What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms can vary in different people so, if you suspect something might be wrong, it's important to see your doctor. Getting an early diagnosis means you can get help and treatment faster, which can slow down the disease's progression.

Another important reason for seeing your doctor is to rule out other conditions. For example, the symptoms of depression or stress-related illnesses can be similar to those experienced by people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

How would my doctor diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

There isn't one, official way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, so your doctor is likely to perform a series of tests. Along with taking a blood sample, a common test is to ask the patient to draw a clock with numbers around the edge, and to draw on the clock hands at a specific time. This sounds simple but, along with similar tests and questions, your doctor can determine the state of your memory and brain function.

To help your doctor, and to make sure you provide important information, it can be useful to take with you a note of when the symptoms first appeared, how often they occur, and what things in your life are most affected.

Depending on the outcome of your consultation, you may be referred to a specialist for further tests and sometimes a brain scan.

How does Alzheimer’s disease progress?

Alzheimer's disease affects everybody differently. However, for most people, it tends to get worse over a period of time - usually over a number of years.

Alzheimer's disease is usually divided into three stages to describe its progression from mild to severe. It typically takes several years to reach the severe stage, but the speed at which the disease worsens, and what it affects, can vary in each person. For example, some people maintain certain functions, such a being able to select and put on their clothes, while others may retain a good memory of their early life.

• Early stage. The person might forget where they went on holiday last year, or that a close relative recently moved house. They might become moody or easily frustrated, lose the flow of conversations, or forget certain words
• Middle stage. Increasingly forgetful, the person may need reminding about washing or dressing properly. They may mistake someone well known to them for someone else, or get lost easily. As the disease progresses to this stage, some people also start to experience hallucinations
• Late stage. People in the late stage of Alzheimer's disease may become restless and appear to be looking for something or someone. They are often unable to feed themselves, go to the toilet without help, and usually begin to lose their speech. At this stage, the person needs full assistance with all daily activities

Although there is no cure, treatment is available to slow down the disease's progression. This will help you live normally for as long as possible. View our medicines section for further information.